WELCOME TO THIS FORT-NIGHTS OUTDOOR PLAY LINK-UP.
THE CHILDREN ENGAGE IN A SELF-INITIATED LARGE BLOCK BUILDING PROJECT
J, S, Z, T and K were building a bridge over hot lava with our large outdoor blocks. They started to use tubes to create the path across the larva but that proved to be quite wobbly. K and J recognized this problem and immediately tried to rectify it by stabilizing and supporting the tubes with blocks at either end and at the sides. They did this without verbalizing their intent. Z became a little frustrated by the boys additions and began to complain to them that he didn’t want the blocks where they had placed them. I intervened by saying to J and K, “I don’t think Z understands why you are putting those blocks there J and K, do you want to tell him why you are doing that?” The boys then related to Z that they were concerned that the poles were too wobbly and unsafe. Z seemed to understand their concerns and the build then continued on quite happily.
They tested the bridge to see if it was still wobbly. S said, “I see a problem J man!” and the boys devised ways of stabilizing the bridge further by adding another row of support blocks.
J decided to add an ‘electric computer’ to the bridge. He explained to his friends that the electric computer “explodes” water through the volcano and cleans it out. But first he says he needs to drain out the lava. Z picks up on J’s idea and places pipes along the channel that holds the laval flow.
Z explains to the others that the water then passes up through these pipes to feed the plants growing at the top. They are growing cantaloupes, apples, watermelons and mangos. The children then use a mix of water and crushed chalk to paint their bridge.
My favorite post from last FORT-NIGHTS link-up was from:
Playful Learning in the Early Years: Signs of Fall Nature Collage
Click on the photo above to read about a fun Autumn adventure!
How did your kids play outdoors this week?
Any kind of children’s outdoor play-related posts are welcome!
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My daughters always loved playing with the big blocks at school. Such a wonderful play and learning tool. Thanks for sharing.
Love those blocks!
great ideas using such simple items! thanks for sharing its always good finding out new ideas x